Winter Gardening

As temperatures decrease, most plants are entering a period of slowed growth and dormancy. It is also an opportunity to prune trees and shrubs, plant annual bulbs, and prepare for the upcoming season. However, weeds are thriving more than ever during this time.

Taking a proactive approach is key when dealing with weeds, especially since most are annual plants that quickly spread through seeding. To prevent this, it's crucial to tackle them before they reach the seeding stage. Methods such as manual weeding or using chemicals as a last resort. For lawns, regular mowing before flowering and seeding, and manual removal for minor infestations to keep weeds at bay during winter.

Weed Control

A different approach involves creating unfavourable conditions for weed growth. Weeds and their seeds require specific ideal conditions to sprout, remaining dormant until suitable circumstances allow them to flourish.

Try this.

• Try to eliminate germination factors by implementing strategies such as using chunky mulch (at least 50mm or 5cm thick) to block light access to seeds and hinder seedling anchoring.

• Encouraging robust lawn growth in grassy areas creates competition that inhibits weed growth.

• Similarly, planting and nurturing ground cover in garden beds serves the same purpose.

Pruning

Winter is the time to give your garden some much-needed attention. Many of your flowering plants are entering dormancy, with their blooms fading away. Grab a pair of secateurs and trim off the spent flowers to tidy up the garden. Keep an eye on your Frangipanis as they shed their final leaves – consider pruning them back to enhance their fullness and sculpt a more appealing silhouette. Once your roses enter dormancy, don't hesitate to give them a thorough pruning for optimal growth. Remember to shape and prune all deciduous trees in preparation for the colder months. And don't forget about your fruit trees; apples, pears, figs, and grape trees will benefit from some extra care during this time.

Fertilising

In the winter season, it is advisable to refrain from fertilising most plants as they enter dormancy. Fertilising at this time would not only be ineffective but also result in wastage of resources and potentially cause pollution. It is better to wait for the active growing season to fertilise your plants. Citrus plants in Perth are an exception, as they are actively growing and require specific citrus fertilisers for growth.

Lawn care

In addition to other winter gardening tips, here are some key tasks to prioritise during the colder months. Ensure the lawn remains free of fallen leaves; consider using them as natural mulch for your garden beds or add them to the compost bin for soil enrichment. Don't forget to have your irrigation system inspected and adjusted accordingly for the season ahead.